Mobile Tech: The Top Five Coolest Car Tech of 2009

While we’ve been wringing our hands excitedly in anticipation for the next big smartphone, hot new game, or fly behind computer, the world of auto technology has been bubbling with its own attention-grabbing tech. Here’s a list of the year’s most innovative automotive technology. More than sitting on 26’s or being chromed out, this tech is set to change our relationship with cars forever.

Inflatable Seatbelts – Sure, it may look a little corny, but you won’t be saying that if you’re unlucky enough to get in an accident. A Ford Motors creation, the seat belt has its own version of the airbag packed inside. In a crash, the belts deploy and inflate in an incredible 40 milliseconds – just enough time to see your life flash before your eyes. The increased belt diameter is supposed to spread the force of the impact over a wider space, decreasing the chance of chest, neck, and head injury. Expect to see these extra safe saftey belts in the rear passenger seats of the  next generation of Ford Explorers.

Mobile Hotspots – You get the internet everywhere else, why not in your ride? GM’s recent partnership with Autonet to furnish Buicks, Caddys, and Chevys with the mobile WiFi router enabling your car to connect via the 3G network is only the beginning of the story. According to Wired.com, a group of tech companies are working feverishly to have your car rolling through the cloud server. Using the Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network, soon your car might beat your computer in a digital drag race.

Self-healing paint – Nothing can mar a car’s beauty like a scratch or a dent. You still have to hit the body shop for the dent but the paint job is another story. If your car receives an unsightly scratch now, you don’t have to do anything except stop and smell the roses. Nissan’s Scratch Guard technology is made of a very elastic resin that can fix small scratches or more severe damage overnight or over a week’s time depending on the damage. It’s been out since 2005, but it’s getting some shine now because Nissan’s licensing the tech to cell phone companies (stay tuned for that post).

Self-Parking cars – Automakers have been trying to perfect the self-parking car for years, but its only now that it’s more than a concept. Another Ford breakthrough, Ford Park Assist takes all the hassle out of parallel parking. All you have to do is slow the car down to about 20 mph and press the button. Making use of sonar sensors, the car scan for a free space. Once found it instructs you to pull up. When it tells you to stop, put the car into reverse, take your hands off the wheel and let the car complete your parallel transaction.

Electric cars- Sure they’ve been around for awhile now, but the 2010 model is so much better than the debut version. The third generation of the Toyota Prius actually has some get up and go instead of the plod along silent and apologetic thing it had going on for the first two iterations. Taking cues from the electric C.I.L.D. (Car I’d Love to Drive) the Tesla Roadster which has a top speed of 125 mph and looks plain exciting to drive, the 2010 Prius  has a bigger engine and more horses to play with. Who says electric cars have to be boring?

So there you have it, my picks for some of the coolest car tech f 2009. Have some other candidates that didn’t make the list? Make your voice heard in the comments section and we can discuss.